The Flywheel

Program for September 14th

Orlando Ramos,
Principal of Richmond High School

Orlando Ramos, Principal of Richmond High School, talks
about the the process
of developing a campus culture.

"What we're doing is changing the culture, not
just the classroom," Mr. Ramos told the Oakland
Tribune last November. "As
Richmond High rises, so will the city of Richmond."

MEETING OF September 7th, 2007

Welcome, Invocation, Thought for the Day

Prez Pam Jones rang the bell and called
the meeting to order. Jerry Feagley led
the pledge of allegiance and Glenn Daggs asked
for a moment of silence for world peace. Some male chauvinist
(I think it was Henry) had a Thought
for the Day about how much there is for men to be thankful
for now that football season has begun anew.

Visiting Rotarians

Karen Nierlich of El Cerrito Rotary
Club joined us for lunch.

Rotarians with Guests

Pam Jones invited Patti Boucher
and April Jorden as guests.

Liliane Koziol had her handsome
young son with her.

Sunshine Report

David K had a sunny thought about celebrating
how great it is to have Elof Granberg and Charlie
Wong back among us (and Henry,
too, somebody said).

Announcements

Herb Cole updated the Club on the
status of the Red Cross Clinic project work in Monterrey,
Mexico, with four other Rotary Clubs. He talked about
a trip down there within about two weeks as well as
a longer, five-day trip in January 2008 (16th - 20th).
Before that, there’ll be an extended trip to
Nigeria with over 40 Rotary Clubs, November 5-20, for
various projects including national immunizations

Hank Covell had some info to share.
On Saturday, September 15, the local YMCA will hold
its 50th annual pancake breakfast at the Hilltop facility.
Can’t beat it for (did I get this right?!) $5
for the whole family. By the way, Hank says he’s
not missed even one of the past 49 years of pancake
breakfasts!

Hank went on to remind everyone
about the $40 Hotel Mac dinner plus Masquers play on
Tuesday, September 25.

Last on Hank’s list was news
about the $80 Gallo extravaganza dinner at the Hotel
Mac on October 2 with the very special 31 year-old,
don’t-you-dare-drink-it-but-who’d-want-to-anyway
bottle of Muscatel.

Liliane Koziol gave a progress report
about the month-long trip being planned to Madagascar
in late April 2008, for purposes of, among other things,
helping to equip a local hospital with various supplies.

Judy Morgan talked about all the
positive, good things happening with Richmond’s
Home Front Festival coming up the weekend of September
29-30. Rich Brandes is heading up
Richmond Rotary’s involvement in the Festival
with crowd management and people-boarding on interesting
and historic boats that will be taking short cruises
on the waters around the immediate area. Volunteers
are encouraged to sign up online at www.homefrontfestival.com.

Rafael Madrigal promoted the District
5160 Rotary Foundation Day raffle drawing on October
6 at Discovery Kingdom. Everyone should send in their
$100 five-ticket payment as soon as possible to the
address on the flyer already mailed to homes.

There were whispers throughout the room of a roast
worthy of a “thousand bonfires” that will
occur on November 2. You don't want to miss it!

Special Events

Recognitions

Margaret Morkowski did a stellar job
with Recognitions and Happy/Sad dollars.

John Nicol was recognized for joining
Rotary 43 years ago, the same year that David
Ninomiya joined. Back then, according to John,
a person’s credit rating had to be ok before
being allowed into Rotary.

Margaret then took charge of the
microphone to tell us not only that she bought the
very first ticket sold for the USO dance on Saturday
night of the Home Front Festival but also that Indian
Statue Day will occur on October 13 in Point Richmond.
This event will honor the purchase in 1908-09 of the
Indian statue/fountain in the Point’s center
island by the Women’s West-End Service Club (oldest
in the state?). Yep, any ole excuse to party!

Happy and Sad Dollars

David K had happy $$ for three weeks
fishing in the Rockies, including the famed Blackfoot
River. He witnessed a forest fire, including a too-close-for-comfort
fireball situation that turned out ok.

As Jan Brown dug into her purse
for happy $$, she pointed out that the other gender
can also enjoy good football, like the Cal Bears whipping
Tennessee.

Raffle Results

Ralph Hill pulled the white ball.

THE PROGRAM

Bring Compassion, Love, and Playfulness to Parenting

With President Pam Jones having recommended
her as a speaker, Jim Young introduced
Dr. Beth Halbert, author of Compassionate Parenting and
psychologist extraordinaire in matters relating to the
sometimes weird world of teens.

Spunky and full of enthusiasm, Dr. Beth encouraged us,
especially those somewhat chronologically challenged
among us, to get in touch with our own teen energy once
again. She actually had the gall to ask if we remembered
when we, too, use to excessively drink, eat, dance, and
do wild and crazy things that couldn’t be told
to other people.

So I guess teens are people too. In fact, according
to Dr. Beth, the key seems to be trying to help them
be open and honest about their fears, emotions, interests,
problems, and goals, to step into who they are, to get
in touch with their truth and into their own greatness.
Help them move beyond being the compliant doormat (“sure,
whatever you say”) or the embodiment of total defiance
(big time push back). Get to authenticity and more beneficial,
informed free choice will follow.

We were reminded that parents can easily burn out, which
isn’t good for anyone. She advised us to take care
of ourselves first, then spousal relationships, then
the kids.

In the world of actions and words, remember which speaks
more loudly. Sometimes putting the foot down firmly can
be the right thing to do. We’re told that teens
actually want parents to say “no” on occasion,
if for no other reason than they can get mad about it.
Now that’s authentic!

Rotating Scribe: Tom Waller

Upcoming Programs

September 21
The Potomac Foundation brings a sneak preview of the
history and restoration of FDR’s “Floating White
House”, which will appear at the Home
Front Festival.

Have a suggestion for a speaker? Please pass along
the name and contact information to Jim Young.

Important Events

September 20
Masquers Dinner Theatre, Play: Shadow Box

October 2
How did a 79 cent bottle of Muscatel manage to raise
over $6,000 by being passed around among Richmond
Rotarians? Help celebrate this 31 year old marvel
at the Gallo Wine Dinner, Hotel Mac.